Product Description

A definitive look at the legacy of this 20th-century politician! Based on exclusive access to the confidential information of the Reagan Foundation and Library, and written in compelling narrative style, this biography of the president's later years includes unpublished anecdotes about Mrs. Reagan, the onslaught of Alzheimer's, his state funeral, and much more. 410 pages, hardcover from Nelson.

Publisher's Description

His name in American politics is more cited than any other president. Both the Republican and Democratic parties are radically different today, mainly as a result of Ronald Reagan and the force of his ideas. No twentieth century president shaped the American political landscape so profoundly.

Craig Shirleys Last Act is the important final chapter in the life of Reagan that no one has thus far covered. Its the kind of book that widens our understanding of American history and of the presidency and the men who occupied it. To tell Reagans story, Craig has secured the complete, exclusive, and enthusiastic support of the Reagan Foundation and Library and spent considerable time there reviewing sealed files and confidential information.

Cast in a grand and compelling narrative style, Last Act contains interesting and heretofore untold anecdotes about Reagan, Mrs. Reagan, their pleasure at retirement, the onslaught of the awful Alzheimers and how he and Mrs. Reagan dealt with the diagnosis, the slow demise, the extensive plans for a state funeral, the outpouring from the nation, which stunned the political establishment, the Reagan legacy, and how his shadow looms more and more over the Republican Party, Washington, the culture of America, and the world.

Author Bio

Craig Shirley is the author of three critically praised bestsellers about Ronald Reagan, Rendezvous with Destiny, Reagans Revolution, and Last Act. His book December 1941 appeared multiple times on the New York Times bestseller list. Shirley is chairman of Shirley & Banister Public Affairs and is a widely sought-after speaker and commentator. The Visiting Reagan Scholar at Eureka College, Shirley is on the Board of Governors of the Reagan Ranch and lectures frequently at the Reagan Library, and he has written extensively for the Washington Post, the Washington Examiner, the Washington Times, the Los Angeles Times, Townhall, Newsmax, Breitbart, National Review, LifeZette, CNS, and many other publications. Considered one of the foremost public intellectuals on the history of conservatism in America, Shirley is writing a fourth book on Reagan and a book on George Washingtons family

Ronald Reagan was beloved by many, and criticized by a few. This book sets out to explore the time after he left the White House, the last years of the President's life. It is a broad work that covers much of what was going on in our nation, and the world, during those years, along with the health issues he faced.

The author spent a lot of time going over the private journals Ronald Reagan kept while in office. Mr. Shirley states that all the entries were made by a man still in full control of all his faculties. He offers them as proof that the President was not suffering any forgetfulness, or early Alzheimer's symptoms, while leading our country.

Many in the media didn't support Reagan, and even panned him, but that was something that did not concern him. What he wanted was the support of the ordinary citizens. His legacy consisted of ending the cold war, improving our military, increasing prosperity, and making many feel proud to be Americans. With many every day Americans, his legacy also included winning their hearts.

That was never so apparent as when he passed away. Even though the President had been out of the public eye for a good ten years, tremendous crowds turned out to view his body at his California library. Many waited hours in horrible heat to pay their respects. The viewing hours had to be extended, and still large crowds were turned away. Others had lined the highway for the miles leading from the Reagan home to the library. The numbers were even bigger when his body was brought to Washington, D.C. for viewing, and for the funeral. People from every walk of life stood in line for hours to pay their last respects. The crowd was staggering.

Apparently the media was caught off guard by all this. Originally, his death was not given much coverage, and what there was, a lot was critical. After the outpouring of public grief, some less hostile things started appearing along with more coverage. Many tributes also came pouring in from other nations. Soviet dissident and writer, Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn, upon learning of Reagan's death had this to say:

"In July 1975, I concluded my remarks in the Reception Room of the U.S. Senate with these words: 'Very soon, all too soon, your government will need not just extraordinary men--but men of greatness. Find them in your souls. Find them in your hearts. Find them within the breadth and depth of your homeland.' Five years later, I was overjoyed when just such a man came to the White House. May the soft earth be a cushion to his present rest."

While reading this book, you might find your mind wandering back to the days Ronald Reagan was in the White House. Some of the stories and scenes found on these pages might even bring a tear or two. I highly recommend this 5-star book to any fan of Ronald Reagan, or those interested in history.

"And whatever else history may say about me when I'm gone, I hope it will record that I appealed to your best hopes, not your worst fears, to your confidence rather than your doubts."--Ronald Reagan at the last Republican convention he addressed, Houston, 1992.

The publisher has provided me with a complimentary copy of Last Act, through The Thomas Nelson Publishing BookLook Bloggers Program for the purpose of review. I have not been compensated in any other manner. All opinions expressed are my own, and I was not required, or influenced, to give anything but an honest appraisal. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commissions 16 CFR, Part 255.

What a book! If you admire Ronald Reagan, you will find this book fascinating. If you, as I did, watched for every story about him after he announced his Alzheimers and watched every part of his funeral with several tears along the way, this book will fill in all those questions you probably had.

Craig Shirley writes the story in a way that is gripping. When I began reading his method of jumping between the first days of President Reagan leaving office and the days just before he died, I thought it would undermine the book, but it simply did not.

So many insights into the fine character and honest makeup that defined Reagan are here. Actually, I must warn youyou will have waves of deeply missing him again as you read. You will more deeply opine the lack of people like him today too. I believe you will see that Mrs. Is far better than the witch the media unfairly made her to be as well.

Those who served under him, for the most part, adored him. He forced no cynicism on those who served him as many do. Even burly Secret Service men were reduced to heavy tears when he died. Even after Alzheimers did its ugly work on him, he was still the man who wanted to stop and help a who man had a flat.

For the most incredible contrast, a story of Nixon ignoring his ailing wife one day and Clinton making a pass at one of Reagans young interns and making himself a nuisance by relentlessly begging to speak at Reagans funeral were told. Thanks Nancy for holding a firm no on that point!

Theres so much more. I love this book. I cant think of anyone who has lived in my lifetime for whom I would want this kind of information, but Ronald Reagan was for me just such a man. This book is a treasure for those who love the Gipper and would be a great help to those who dont, but should.

I received this book free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commissions 16 CFR, Part 255.